Tag Archives: Gaza

Whatever options Hamas and Israel choose will not resolve the underlying conflict. But allowing Gazans to export goods, tax themselves and freely exit and enter the territory would at least offer Israelis and Palestinians the possibility of less bloodshed, while other possibilities, including unblocking the diplomatic impasse, are explored.

Weapons are pouring out of Africa's most oil-rich country while extremist fighters tumble in. The toxic legacy of Gaddafi’s divisive and authoritarian regime, which pitted Libya’s diverse factions against one another, has plagued the prospects for any central authority gaining widespread legitimacy in the war-torn country.

The US has little ability to curtail, let alone stop, Israel's expansion into the West Bank. It will complain and threaten certain actions to the UN or the International Criminal Court (ICC). All of these will be to no avail, certainly not during the remainder of President Barack Obama's term, says one analyst.

Pope Francis is desperately attempting to preserve Christianity as a viable faith in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. He realizes that it is vital that he and Christians have the support of the Turkish government and its Islamist president in this endeavor.

Despite Israel and Hamas entering a ceasefire, aid groups are reporting no relaxation in Gaza’s crippling blockade by Israel. Some analysts are warning that the threat of the deal collapsing is real, especially as there appear to be few enforcing mechanisms.

Without meaningful negotiations between Israel and the de facto government in Gaza the prospects for a sustainable ceasefire seem remote. Without serious pressure being applied by the key international governments that materially support and sustain the current status quo, meaningful negotiations appear a remote possibility. The public health implications of this current state of affairs are frightening.

The tiny Indian Ocean island nation of Maldives has announced boycott of Israeli products and the annulment of bilateral agreements over heavy civilian casualties in Gaza Strip. Malé may consider lifting the moratorium if the Israeli government’s violation of international resolutions stop, says the country’s foreign minister..

Even as the war against Gaza rages, Israel's radical nationalist government has its eyes set on completing its annexation of the West Bank, says one analyst. Israel now controls nearly all of Area C, comprising 61 percent of the West Bank, which it assumed control of as a result of the 1993 Declaration of Principles.